Character Analysis Of Montresor - 903 Words

The Malicious Murderer Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. One person who takes this quote to an entirely new level is Montresor from â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†. In this short story by Edgar Allan Poe, Montresor has had enough of his boorish friend Fortunato and vows for revenge. Before Montresors retaliation, he approaches the sickly Fortunato and offers him some of the rare Amontillado which he has locked away in the cellar of his home. While on their way to retrieve the alcohol, Montresor tells Fortunato to drink for his heavy cough, intoxicating him more with each sip. Once they arrive at the cellar, Montresor tricks Fortunato to his death by walling him up brick by brick. Montresor however wouldn’t have been able to go†¦show more content†¦I can gather Montresor’s insane act of homicide brought physical and emotional pain to Fortunato, making him scream out in agony. Moreover, another trait of Montresors that helps him to plan the perfect murder is his deceitfulness. In the rising action, Montresor tricks Fortunato down into the depths of his catacombs, where he plans to perform the horrible, horrific, homicide . Montresor tells Fortunato,† ‘I should like your opinion. But if you are too busy, I will get Luchesi’s advice. If anyone is a good judge, he is’†(Poe 68). The citation shows Montresors deceitfulness since he is trying to guilt Fortunato to come with him. By saying he would like Fortunatos advice, it’s guilting Fortunato to come into the catacombs; only a brilliant and deceitful man could come up with this proposal. I can deduce that without Montresors deviance, he would’ve never been able to trick Fortunato into the catacombs and to his death. Montresors deceitfulness also fooled Fortunato to help him in carrying out his own death. Montresor tricks Fortunato into drinking for his cough, intoxicating him more and more with each sip. â€Å"I do not wish to alarm you-but you should take care of yourself. A drink of this Medoc will defend you from the damp†( Poe 69). This cite reveals how Montresor is tricking Fortunato into killing himself practical ly, and helping Montresor succeed. I can summarize that Montresor planned from the beginning to fool Fortunato into helping him byShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis Of Montresor887 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Character Analysis of Montresor If written with skill, â€Å"Villains† can be some of the most interesting characters in literature. The character of Montresor from Edgar Allen Poe’s â€Å"A Cask of Amontillado†. Poe, being the horror writer that he was, portrays this dark character in exactly that way. The story begins with Montresor explaining to the reader as a narrator that a man named Fortunato has insulted and hurt him for a great deal of time. Montresor never explains what exactly Fortunato did toRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Montresor1160 Words   |  5 Pagesworst nightmare. Characters pulled from the depths of the deepest abyss instill fear throughout many stories, such as deranged Montresor from Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† In the sinister text, the protagonist Montresor has his eye set on disposing of his nemesis the antagonist, Fortunato, who has in someway done him â€Å"a thousand wrongs† (Poe 67). As Montresor leads an unaware Fortunato into the vaults of his forefathers to get the drink Amontillado, Montresor keeps up the pretenseRead MoreMontresor Character Analysis1127 Words   |  5 PagesMontresor was a man who seemed to be very hurt and angry, he had many issues and unresolved problems going on in his life. These different episodes of emotions leads to Montresor being a very manipulative and revengeful person. Which later leads to him accomplishing his revenge in the death of Fortunato. In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†, Montresor is fixed on getting revenge on a former friend of his because of insults. And though Montresor accomplished his plan of revenge, his heart and soul is foreverRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe s The Cask Of Amontillado1232 Words   |  5 Pagesthe text to illustrate the murder of Fortunado by Montresor, who seeks salvation through death†. Also, there is going to be an analysis on the irony found in the text in relation with the story. To support this thesis, I am going to use some examples from some sources such as â€Å"Literary analysis: Irony in The Cask of Amontillado by Amelia Tibbett, â€Å"Irony in The Cask of Amontillado† by Kerry Michael Wood, and â€Å"Poe s Short Stories Summary and Analysis† by Bella Wang , and the text will be writte n inRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of The Cask Of Amontillado 1493 Words   |  6 PagesBrooke Womack Literary Analysis Paper Into to Literature: American I Dr. Julia Pond 12 October 2017 The Cask of Amontillado The Cask of Amontillado is a tale of terror written by Edgar Allen Poe. This short story is from the point of view from Montresor’s memory. The setting of this story is in a small unnamed European city, at a local carnival and then at the catacombs under Montresor’s home, around duck. The brief synopsis of this story is about the revenge that the Montresor, the antagonist andRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado and Hills Like White Elephants577 Words   |  3 PagesAnalysis of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe amp; â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemmingway Analysis of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe Abstract â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† by Edgar Allan Poe, is a short story about a man named Montessor who gets revenge on one of his â€Å"friends† named Fortunado by trapping him and burying him alive. Treatment Setting: Two kinds Plot: Man gets revenge on his â€Å"friend† Characters: Montresor, Fortunado, Montresor’s familyRead MoreCask of Amontillado Imagery Analysis Essay703 Words   |  3 PagesCask of Amontillado† Imagery Analysis In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† Edgar Allen Poe uses many examples of imagery, such as the descriptions of the carnival, characters, the walk through the catacombs, and much more throughout the story to build suspense and intrigue for the readers and add to the mystery of Montresor’s underlining actions of the revenge and deception of the foolish Fortunado. By using descriptive words and phrases to help us imagine the characters and setting the readers are drawnRead MoreReflection of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†1682 Words   |  7 Pageselements incorporated into his stories that it would be impossible to understand them all after one reading. His stories drip with irony and reveal mysteries in an interesting way. He writes his stories in a way that engages the mind and questions character. One of his most famous short stories is â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†. This story has much verbal and dramatic irony. The most ironic concepts are how the narrator interacts with Fortunato and the use of names within this story. The setting of thisRead MoreThe Analysis Of Montresor’S Madness. One Of1065 Words   |  5 PagesThe Analysis of Montresor’s Madness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the most critically-acclaimed short stories, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† is well-known  ­for covering one of the you used one of the twice in one sentence most intriguing topics: retaliation.   The author, Edgar Allan Poe, lived an interesting life full of alcoholism and drug-addiction, but still managed to write many unforgettable pieces.   like what? In this short story, Edgar Allan Poe focuses on Montresor and his determination to exact revengeRead MoreEssay An Analysis of The Cask of Amontillado1264 Words   |  6 PagesAn Analysis of â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a journey into the mind of a mad man. The story relates a horrible revenge made even more horrible by the fact that the vengeance is being taken when no real offense had been given. In a short space and with ultimate technical skill, Poe creates a nightmare, guaranteed to give the reader a sleepless night.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The plot of the story is a simple one. Montresor tales revenge on his friend Fortunato

Essay about The Writings of Frederick Douglass and Phillis...

The eyes of potential soul arose into the world in Senegambia, and half way around the world in Easton arisen a soul to be etched into the world forever. A girl , no , a woman I should say given the strength possessed in the soul of her body and mind and certainly a man , a man who will grow to learn fathoms of knowledge breaking the impenetrable minds of those who heard silence. These two were of separate shades although fused from one deep pigment. Two of the most renowned black writers that were for the abolitionist movement in America were Frederick Douglass and Phillis Wheatley. During the times of slavery, finding a literate black slave who could read the very words of a paper who could then think for themselves and†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦In 1845 an extraordinary piece of work by Frederick Douglass was published â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave†; this was the life of a man who through many adversities stood tall w ith his head in the heavens. Douglass was the more proactive abolitionist as his work was to demolish slavery while detailing his life experience as a slave and expressing is deep emotions and theory on slavery. In the â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave† he expresses the way religion and its literature, the bible, had an effect not only on slavery but also with white Christianity. His position on slavery was strong and compelling. Douglass used powerful authoritative words from the start of his narrative to grasp our hold and attention and keep us enflamed while realizing God is embedded in the words. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Phillis Wheatley overcame obstacles most people would quiver against. She showed us slavery and she showed us faith. In the poem, she tells us â€Å"Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taug ht my benighted soul to understand† (Wheatley, line 1-2) Right from the beginning , Wheatley shows us religion through her use of subtle but powerful words. She uses the words â€Å"Mercy, PaganShow MoreRelatedAnthology on Individual Rights1318 Words   |  6 Pagesworld around us is having individual rights. These rights are prominent in â€Å"Self-Reliance†, â€Å"From Bonifacius: Essays to Do Good†, From Poems on Various Subjects. ‘On Being Brought from Africa to America.†, and From Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Chapter X,†. Within this anthology, the reader(s) will discover passages that represent the balancing act of individual rights versus societal rights in America. In â€Å"Self-Reliance†, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the audience can see a theme ofRead MoreFinding Identity in the Pathway from Slavery to Literacy Essay example1103 Words   |  5 PagesYou have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.† -Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life (1845) The most shameful practices of American history is the act of slavery from the whites to the African Americans. Many African Americans were born into slavery and forced to feel inferior towards their white masters. Actual human beings were treated like animals. The inhumane condition of slavery challenged African Americans to discover their individual true identityRead MoreAnalysis Of Eric Foner, Olaudah Equiano In Voices Of Freedom864 Words   |  4 Pagesnot to be eaten but were to be put to work instead, some may have prefered to just be killed instead. Eric Foner, Letter of Phillis Wheatley (1774), In Voices of Freedom, Vol 1, Page 118 In this letter, Phillis Wheatley is writing to Reverend Samson Occum discussing her appreciation on their shared beliefs that slaves have just as much natural rights as them white folk. Wheatley wrote, â€Å"how well the cry for liberty, and the reverse disposition for the exercise of oppressive power over other agree†Read MoreEssay about Phillis Wheatley1780 Words   |  8 PagesPhillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley was Americas first black poet. She was born in Senegal, Africa in 1753 and she was sold into slavery at the age of seven to John and Susannah Wheatley of Boston. Phillis was soon accepted as a member of the family, and was raised with the Wheatleys other two children. Phillis soon displayed her remarkable talents by learning to read and write English. At the age of twelve she was reading the Greek and Latin classics, and passages from the Bible. At thirteenRead MoreLiterature Has The Power Of Free2443 Words   |  10 Pagesperspectives, and help erase prejudices. Though, to be honest, looking at the other side of the coin, it can also strengthen biases that are already in place. Regardless of people’s stances on issues, some find solace in reading; others find solace in writing. Anne Frank said, â€Å"I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.† Books inspire people. Just by Anne Frank’s diary alone, has in spired over that 25 million people. Since it was first published in 1947, Anne Frank’sRead MoreLiterature Has The Power Of Literature3178 Words   |  13 Pagesperspectives, and help erase prejudices. Though, to be honest, looking at the other side of the coin, it can also strengthen biases that are already in place. Regardless of people’s stances on issues, some find solace in reading; others find solace in writing. Anne Frank said, â€Å"I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.† Books inspire people. Just by Anne Frank’s diary alone, has inspired over that 25 million people. Since it was first published in 1947, Anne Frank’sRead MoreAfrican American Literature2022 Words   |  9 PagesAfrican-American Influence on American literature African American literature can be summarized as the writings of authors from African descent. In the United States, African descendents have had very different experiences from each others depending on where they lived. In the southern states of the United States, Blacks have been really oppressed until the Civil War, with the big part being illiterate well into the end of 1800. In the northern states ,Blacks had a considerable greater freedomRead MoreAll Men Are Created By Thomas Jefferson2254 Words   |  10 Pagesneeds to be able to define that phrase and the standards of humanity themselves to understand the history and policies of human rights in America. In early America, standards of humanity were based on religious standards adapted from John Locke’s writing molded to fit societal hierarchy by Jefferson and the founding fathers in their vision of the country. African Americans worked hard to fight the hypocrisy of these claims, but it would take more than a ce ntury for changes to be made for the goodRead MoreHarriet Beecher Stowe s Uncle Tom s Cabin3362 Words   |  14 Pagesregarded as a sentimentalist, racist novel was at the time seen as a powerful assault against slavery and specifically the fugitive slave act: â€Å"Stowe’s novel set off an astounding public response unique in the history of American publishing. Frederick Douglass reported that the first edition of 5,000 was gone in four days and that in one year Uncle Tom’s Cabin sold more than 300,000 copies† (Yarborough 45). While Stowe has been praised for her novel, it has also been surrounded in a great deal ofRead MoreAnalysis Of James Wright s The Blues Essay2277 Words   |  10 PagesAs Bryan Crable notes, Burke and Ellison had the closest intellectual and social relationship when Burke was writing A Rhetoric of Motives—and, I would add, when Ellison was writing Invisible Man. Crable points out that the Rhetoric is â€Å"the only one of Burke’s books to cite Ellison,† in large part because Ellison’s 1945 essay â€Å"Richard Wright’s Blues† (which called Wright’s just-released memoir Black Boy â€Å"a nonwhite intellectual’s statement of his relationship to western culture† that illuminates

State of Texas vs. Johnson (1989) Essay Example For Students

State of Texas vs. Johnson (1989) Essay Justice Viveiros delivers the opinion of the court:Gregory Lee Johnson has been convicted of desecrating a flag in violation of Texas law; a conviction which questions ones guaranteed First Amendment, constitutional rights. Johnsons involvement in a political demonstration in Dallas, lead him toexpress his political concerns with the nations leaders and governmental policies. The State of Texas conviction of Johnsonwas carried out due to Johnsons conduct, a physically expressive act, rather than a written or spoken one and based on two criteria: a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the flag representing the strength, pride and unity of our nation and whether Johnsons actions threatened societal order and peace. Both criteria, which serve as the basis for Gregory Lee Johnsons conviction, have been explored in depth, and this court concludes the following Johnsons form of political expression did not cause societal disorder or disrupt the peace. There were no violent outbreaks, either verbal or physical, from members of Johnsons protest, or other citizens, who may view flag burning as a distasteful, ungrateful, slap in the face of our nation. However, the State of Texas has already acknowledged this fact. The State ruled that regardless of the lack of evidence that Johnsons actions have threatened societal order and public peace, on account there were no such occurrences, flag burning has the potential to do so. The State has concluded that flag burning could: first, stir up peoples emotions enough, possibly resulting in intense public arguments, violent physical disputes, or riots, and second, serves as an invitation for others to take political protests to the next level, which could be dangerous. The States decision brings up two questions, is flag burning as a form of political protest an agreeable method of practicing ones First Amendment rights, or an attempt to persuade others to take the act beyond the rights of citizens to more serious and dangerously, harmful, acts of protest?, and does the State have the right to claim that Johnsons conduct had the potential or indented to cause a violent encounter with passionate opposition to flag burning, even if the act did not do so?Johnson is an individual, responsible for his own actions, not the actions of others. He has chosen to practice his First Amendment rights, by expressing his disapproval of government leadership and polices, by publicly burning and American flag. It is this courts decision that Johnson has not intended to encourage others to take more drastic approaches of protesting government. Johnson can not be accountable for wrongful impressions of his intentions. The State has allowed itself power not granted by the United States Constitution, by convicting Johnson for an act that potentially causes violent confrontations. Had publicly burning a flag caused a fight or rioting, this would be an entirely different case. However, the fact remains, the protest resulted in no such event. There is also no evidence that Johnson intended his protest to provoke societal disorder. Again, the State has not the right to base charges of Johnsons intentions with no evidence, only expressing concerns of the potential negative effects of Johnsons actions. The States conviction is therefore unjust, based on its claim that Johnson has threatened societal order and peace. This does not disregard the conviction of Johnson entirely, the right of the State to preserve the integrity of the flag must still be discussed. Likewise, this courts ruling does not disregard the right of the State of Texas to promote and ensure order. History and common sense both show, order and peace necessary aspects of a stable, powerful nation and both must be ensured to protect American citizens. However, it has not been proven that Johnsons public desecration of the flag has infringed American peace or has promoted or intended to evoke societal disorder. .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 , .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .postImageUrl , .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 , .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:hover , .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:visited , .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:active { border:0!important; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:active , .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47 .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u47c025b70d7d3703022f1f8dbc58cf47:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Pluto EssayThe States conviction of Johnson, based on a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the flag as a representation of nationalunity and pride, brings about several questions involving the meaning of America itself, and what our nation ezds for. The State concerns involve the message perceived by others, at the actions of Johnson. If a citizen can publicly destroy the symbol representing our nations pride and unity without consequences, then the State has concluded that it will be perceived that this pride and unity does not exist, having a drastically negative impact on American society. The State needs to underezd that the American flag is a great symbol of our nation. A symbol which reflects, not only prideand unity, but other aspects of America as well. Americans have always prided our nation as the home of the free. The First Amendment guarantees the right of free expression, not just positive expression consenting the government policies and our leaders, but negative expression condoning both as well. To convict Johnson for publicly burning a flag as a form of political protest, would convey an even more dangerous message to the American people, than to respect his right to do so. The message being that it is wrong and punishable by law to express ones beliefs by destroying the very symbol of freedom our nation claims we possess the right to express. The States conviction of Johnson, on the grounds of preserving the symbolic meaning of the flag, is contradictory in another respect as well. It is customary and preferred to burn a flag when it becomes torn, old, and improper to symbolize our nation, as an honorable means of disposal. Texas has never expressed disagreement with this custom. Therefore, by convicting Johnson for burning a flag as a means of political protest, rather than honorably disposing of an unfit symbol, the State of Texas has unconstitutionally ignored the First Amendment and ruled to dictate the circumezces for burning an American flag. The State has set its initiative and stated that flag desecration, as a form of condoning government, will be punishable by law. Government does not have the right to prohibit expression, nor the right to enforce its views on its citizens. If the flag is to beused as a symbol for everything great about America, it is the right of individuals, who disagree with politics of the time, to use that symbol as a sign of their concerns. Therefore, it is this courts decision that the symbolism and meaning of the flag is the veryreason publicly burning it as a form of political protest is a permissible deed, within the boundaries of the law. The State istherefore denied, by this court, its conviction of Johnson based on the States criterion that Johnson has wrongfully conveyed unity and pride do not exist in America. The American flag holds an undeniable place in the hearts of its citizens, as in mine. It is a symbol of all that makes us proud ofwho we are and what this country has accomplished. However, the State of Texas conviction of Gregory Lee Johnson is without evidence on the charge of Johnsons intent to promote societal disorder and disrupt peace. The State has also contradicted itself by taking the responsibility of protecting the symbolism of the flag, a responsibility which has unconstitutionally convicted Johnson, denying him the First Amendment right of free expression. The judgment of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is therefore Affirmed.

Film Analysis Essay Example

Film Analysis Essay Film Analysis Holly Cox Adam Deutsch English 225: Introduction to Film August 30, 2010 Film Analysis There is so much more to analyzing films than watching a movie. Film analysis is a very complex procedure. â€Å"Analysis generally, means breaking up the whole to discover the nature, function, and interrelationships of the parts† (Boggs, J. Petrie, D. , 2008, p. 7). In analyzing a film, you must not only analyze the film as a whole, but you must also analyze each element that makes up the film. Because a film is constantly moving, it is difficult to analyze all of its elements in a single viewing. Therefore, to analyze a film properly, it is usually necessary to view the film at least twice and preferably multiple times. There are several elements that make up a film, such as the fictional and dramatic elements, visual design, cinematography and special visual effects, editing, color, sound effects and dialogue, musical score and acting. Each of these elements work together to convey the theme of the film to the viewer. The first step in film analysis is identifying the films theme. When discussing film analysis, the theme refers to the unifying, central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the work (txt, 2008, p. 0). There may be several different things going on in a single film, but one will stand out amongst the rest as the theme. After viewing a film, you should be able to analyze all of its elements and how they contribute to the films theme. Five categories make up the theme of every film: the plot, the emotional mood, the character, style or texture, and ideas. In every film each of these elements are present, but one is more prevalent as the focus and theme. In order to analyze the theme, it is helpful to first figure out the element that the film is focused. We will write a custom essay sample on Film Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Film Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Film Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In a movie where the theme is focused on the plot, the film is usually action packed and fast paced. The events and characters in such films are only important in the context of the story being told in the said film. An example of a movie where the theme was based on a summary of the plot would be Spiderman. In the film Spiderman, the film is focused on the action happening in the film. It is a fasted paced, action filled film where the events and the outcome have no real significance except for in the context of the movie. The theme of a film can also be focused on an emotional mood. There are a wide variety of moods that can serve as the thematic concern in modern films (Boggs, J. Petrie, D. , 2008, p. 22). Films such as Friday the 13th and House on Haunted Hill are designed to scare us. Films such as The Notebook and Just Like Heaven evoke feelings of romance and love. The films The Bridge to Terabithia and Marley and Me are designed to bring the viewer to tears. In these types of movies the theme can usually â€Å"be best stated by identifying the prevailing mood or emotional effect the filmmaker has created† (Boggs, J. Petrie, D. , 2008, p. 21). In films that focus on the emotional effect or mood, the plot and events are important, but their most important role is evoking emotion. Although all films have characters, some films actually focus on one single, unique character. In these types of films, what happens in the film is important as it helps the viewer to understand the character. A movie focused on character is Forrest Gump. Forrest; the main c haracter is not an overly intelligent man who finds himself accidently present at many important events. The film is about the events of Forrest’s life, but these events are merely used to help the viewer understand the character that the film writer is trying to development. In this type of film, the focus of the theme is on one unique character. . The focus of the theme of a film can also be on style, texture, or structure. In these types of films, the director presents the story in such a different way that the style or texture is the most memorable aspect of the film. This makes the thematic element the actual structure of the movie. The film Memento, released in 2000 is a perfect example of a film focused on tyle and/or structure. The story in this film is told in an odd way, as the main character has no short-term memory. The director reveals the story through forward flashes of things that are to come to compensate for his unreliable memory. The way the story was told in the film is what remains in the viewers mind after seeing the film, making its theme one based on the s tyle of the movie. In most serious films, the action and characters have significance beyond the context of the film itself a significance that helps to clarify some aspect of the experience, or the human condition (Boggs, J. Petrie, D. 2008, p. 24). The ideas in these films may fall into any one of the following categories: moral implications, the truth of human nature, social problems, the struggle for human dignity, the complexity of human relationships, coming of age, or a moral or philosophical riddle. In these films, the viewer is challenged to analyze the film as a whole and find the theme that best represents it. Although identifying the theme is a very important part of film analysis, it is not always a simple task. Identifying the theme can be considered the beginning and the end of film analysis (Boggs, J Petrie, D. 2008, p. 32). After viewing a film, we may have an idea of what we believe the films theme to be. This is a great starting point for film analysis, but only after analyzing all of the films elements and how they relate as a whole can we truly identify a clear vision of what the theme actually is. Once the viewer can identify the theme of a particular movie, it helps the viewer to understand what the filmma ker’s purpose of making the movie was and also show what the filmmaker was trying to accomplish by making a certain film. With the theme discovered, we can analyze each other part of the film and how it relates to the theme. There are many visual effects that a filmmaker must consider when making a film. Because all of the visual elements must relate to the film as a whole, visuals must be carefully contemplated and chosen to properly suite the specific film. Visual elements such as color, space, focus, depth of field, camera angles, point-of-view, composition, movement, aspect ratios, light, lighting and costume and design are all elements used by filmmakers that have an effect on the film as a whole. While each of these elements are equally important, to the amateur person doing film analysis a few of these elements are more important as they are more easily understood. A very important visual element in all films is color. Color can be used in many ways. The director, in order to draw attention of the viewer to a specific part of a scene, can use color. This is an easy way for the director to direct the view of the viewer. In the film Avatar, the director uses a bright white when putting the mother tree in the screen to draw the viewer’s attention to the tree. Colors are also used to convey a sense of temperature. Red, orange, yellow, and lavender convey a sense of warmth where blues, greens, and beiges convey a sense of cool. In the film Toy Story 3, there is a scene where the toys are slipping towards the end of the dump, the place where the last of the refuge is burned. The bright reds, oranges and yellows in this pit give the viewer a sense of warmth, of very high heat. The director used these colors to portray to the viewer the heat and the danger that the toys are facing in this scene. Color can also be used as a transitional device, for example, in the film The Wizard of OZ, the film is black and white when Dorothy is in Kansas, and it goes to full color when Dorothy is not in Kansas anymore. There are several other ways a filmmaker uses color in a film so, when analyzing a film, the color must be looked at. It must be determined whether the color contributed or took away from the film as a whole. The setting is another important visual effect that is important in film analysis. It is important that the setting seem realistic, that it take the viewer to the time and place that the film is supposed to be taking place. The setting is a large piece of the whole; it is a very important part of the storytelling. Some films, such as In Her Shoes and Love Happens, filmmakers are telling a story of people and their somewhat ordinary lives. In these types of films, the settings are homes or apartments of a specific atmosphere that a certain type of character would live in and regular places that they would go to such as work, grocery stores and restaurants. The setting helps the viewer to see what the characters normal, everyday lives are like, giving them a connection to the film and developing the character. These settings make the story realistic and believable. In other films, for example, Saving Private Ryan the setting is crucial to telling the story. Because the story takes place during the invasion of Normandy the realistic war setting on the beach is imperative in conveying the story correctly. Costume and make-up is another important visual that should be analyzed in film. The different use of costumes and make-up in films can create an enormous difference in how the viewer portrays the film. If costumes and make-up are done with great success, they can contribute greatly to the film. Costume and make-up can be so extreme and detailed that a make believe character will seem real to the viewer. This is the case in the film Avatar. The costume and make-up used is so exceptional that the Avatar people look like creatures that could realistically exist, bringing the film to life for the viewer. Typically, a film is telling a story and a good story is one that is unified around its central theme. No matter what type of theme a story may have, a fictional film generally has a storyline that contributes to the development of the theme (Boggs, J. Petrie, D. 2008, p. 42). Another aspect of a good story is getting the viewer completely involved in the story. For a viewer to become truly involved in a film, it must be made believable. There are a few different ways that a filmmaker can give the impression of truth. The most common truth in film is externally observable truths. These truths are simply put, the way things really are. They may not always be happy truths, but t hey are truths based on what the viewer sees in the world around him. The 2007 movie Juno is the story of a teenage girl who accidently ends up pregnant. While this truth is not pleasant, it is a truth that a viewer witnesses in real life therefore they accept it. A filmmaker may also use internal truths of human nature. In these films, the truths are not truths because they conform to the viewer’s personal experiences, but because the viewer wants or needs to believe that they are true. These films are the happily-ever –after types. The fairy-tale Cinderella a perfect example of a film of internal truths of human nature, it ends with happily-ever after just like all fairy-tales that the viewer wants so badly to believe. The other way that a filmmaker can portray a truth to the viewer s the artistic semblance of truth; the way things never were and never will be. In these types of films, the filmmaker makes an imaginary world that, for the duration of the movie, is believable. In the 1990 film Edward Scissor Hands starring Johnny Depp, the filmmaker made a world where a man with scissors for hands seem acceptable as the truth to the viewer. When analyzing a film, it is important that the film be believable as a good story is almost always credible. Dialogue is an essential part to any film and therefore it is an important element to look at in film analysis. The dialogue can help reflect mood and emotions from the actors and to the viewers and it can also reflect the pace of action. In films such as the Lethal Weapon series, the dialogue reflects both the mood of the characters and the pace of the film. In Lethal Weapon 3 there is a scene where two cops are trying to diffuse a bomb. The dialogue is very quiet and quick in this scene, which portrays the actor’s sense of urgency to the viewer and also the fact that time is short and they must act quickly. Although dialogue is an important element in films, it is important that it is not overused. The old saying, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ describes this almost perfectly. The filmmaker must be sure to not over use dialogue as the visual before the viewer already says so much. Acting can ether make or break a film. The first things to consider are the physical characteristics of the actor and if they were suited to portray they character that cast for. Next, it is important that the actor’s performance is believable. If the part was not believable, it is important to determine if it was due to poor casting or if the actor simply did not deliver a grand performance. Most importantly, how strong is the cast and how do their roles contribute to the film as a whole. In the 2009 film The Hangover, the acting was tremendous as it all contributed to the films theme of comedy. Each role was well written and then well played by each actor involved. Each actor in this film took the role that they were given, played the part absolutely convincingly, and each individually contributed to the films plot, theme, and to the overall success of the movie as a comedy. Although many times a viewer will accept films music without question, it is still an important part of the film as a whole. Music has an extremely strong impact on the reaction of the viewer as it stimulates emotional responses. For instance, in a thriller film such as The Last House on the Left, the music in this film is intense in times of suspense and has the viewer on the edge of his seat. Without the music in this thriller, the emotional responses from the viewer would have been minimal at best. Filmmakers also use music to create structural rhythm in the film as a whole and in its individual shots by developing a sense of pace that corresponds to the pace of the movement in each shot and also to the pace of the editing (Boggs, J. Petrie, D. , 2008, p. 292). The musical score in a film, when effective becomes a reflection of the emotions in a film as a whole. Different films are made for different audiences and for different purposes. The term genre film is used to describe stories in movies that have been repeated again and again with only slight variations in some areas. Because genre films are abo ut a story that has already been told repeatedly, the storytelling for the director in somewhat simplified. There are several basic genres in film: western films, gangster films, films noir, war films, horror films, science fiction/fantasy films, screw-ball comedies, film musicals, romantic comedies, and action films. Each of these genres have a different purpose and are made for a different audience. For example, Spielberg’s E. T. was sci-fi film about an alien that was accidently left on Earth and found by a child that did not want him to leave. The genre of this film was science fiction and it was made for a family audience with the purpose to entertain. There are so many elements to consider when analyzing the film as a whole that when I, as an amateur, begin to analyze a film I chose what I believe to be the most important elements to me in successful filmmaking. First, I try to decipher the theme of a movie and then decide if it is even a theme if I can relate to. Generally, if I cannot relate to the film on any level I will not take the time to watch it. Next, I look at the acting in the film. The actors are an important factor and will often determine if I am even interested in watching a film. After viewing the film, I decide if the actors were right for the role, if they played the role well, and then if their part in the film contributed to the success of revealing the theme of the film thus contributing to the success of the film as a whole. The visual effects are something that I find extremely important in a film. When watching a film, it should be able to hold my attention therefore it must be visually stimulating. Through setting, color, lighting, and costume the director should be able to reveal a lot to me as a viewer. The musical score is also an important aspect in a film to me. Music sets the emotional mood for me and often I will relate a song to a movie long after I view the film. Overall, I believe a film to be a success when it has a strong theme and every element of the film supports this theme to make it have an extreme impact on the viewer. If a film does this and the films theme is effectively portrayed to the viewer, the viewer walks away from the film satisfied with what they have just seen in relation to the theme. This makes a film an effective success. References Boggs, J. Petrie, D. (2008). The Art of Watching Films. (7th ed. ). Boston: The Mcgraw-Hill Companies, Inc.